Free the real feels (Completed)

Chapter 1

Nagising ako dahil sa malakas na sigawan sa labas. Kunot-noong nagmadali akong maghilamos at saka bumaba ng hagdan, What's happening here? Bakit nag-aaway si Kuya at Papa?

I quickly stride down the stairs and hold kuya's arm para pakalmahin siya. Mama, on the other hand, is trying to calm my father too.

"What do you think of me? A business deal?" pabalang na asik ni kuya na ikinalaki ng mata ko. Ano ba pinag-aawayan nila at may lakas na loob si kuyang sagut-sagutin si papa?

"I'm your father! Huwag mo akong kakausapin ng ganyan!" sigaw ni papa. Our house is big but I feel like it will collapse any soon dahil sa malakas na boses nila.

"You two, calm down," subok ni mama.

"Calm down? How dare you tell Mia that I'm engaged to someone else!" muling tumaas ang pagsasalita ni kuya. Maski ako ay parang natuod sa kinatatayuan ko. What? Why would my parents do that?

I've been supporting their relationship from the start and now that they are doing good now, ganito ang mangyayari? Why would they interfere in the first place?

"I never agreed on that f*cking arranged marriage!"

Tuluyan ng lumuwag ang pagkakahawak ko kay kuya. I'm too shocked, I know my parents are too focused on our business but never did I imagine they can do this.

"Calm down anak, hindi pa naman kami nakakakilala ng —"

Hindi na hinayaan ni kuyang patapusin ang sasabihin ni mama. His expression is so hard, his veins started to show as he clenched his feist. Maski ako ay hindi maiwasang matakot sa nakikita ko kay Kuya Nathan ngayon.

Hindi pa nakakakilala? Does that mean that they are just preparing kuya to be in an arranged marriage?

"I don't care! I'll never marry someone else just to secure your business!"

"It's for your sake!" Si papa. Napapikit ako, what does even marriage do? I don't really understand, mukha namang ayos ang relasyon ng  magulang ko kaya dapat ay alam nila kung bakit ganito si kuya ngayon.

"Pa..." I trailed off. "A-ako na lang... Don't ruin Kuya's relationship..." pikit na sabi ko.

Hindi ko alam kung saan ako kumuha ng lakas ng loob. All I am thinking right now is to stope them from arguing, to let kuya calm down and settle his relationship with ate Mia. I've been rooting for them since then, I'll be heartbroken too if ever they were forced to separate.

"Heck, no! You just turned 18 last month," baling ni kuya sa akin. "You may not understand but—"

I cut him off. "I don't have anyone kuya," mahinahong saad ko. Totoo naman, and it's not like my parents would arranged me for a marriage in an instant. Sana lang magbago ang isip nila sa mga dadating na araw.

My parents sighed, kumalma ng kaunti si papa at umupo sa sofa kaya't inalalayan siya ni mama. "Are you sure?"

Hindi ako umimik. What's the point of answering the question? I know they won't force me because the pressure is always on the oldest child. Kaya kung hindi ako ay baka wala ng kawala si kuya, I know kuya will never let this happen to him pero mas madali kung ito ang gagawin ko. Mas magiging tahimik ang pamilya namin.

I'm still young, if ever my parents didn't change their mind. I keep in my mind that I chose this for my brother and ate Mia... I won't let myself fall for anyone para hindi ko na mapagdaanan ang katulad ng kay kuya.

Having no experience being in love has it's advantage after all.

"You don't have to Reese, a—"